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Propaganda has been a powerful tool used throughout history. But how does it really work? And is it only used to trick people into believing certain things? When we hear about it, do we think only about past historic events or can we think of an example of seeing propaganda in today’s world? 

Propaganda can be spread through books, movies, images, and other sources that reach mass audiences. Its primary goal is to change people’s views and opinions. After important events that changed the world’s history, propaganda started to carry a rather negative connotation. But it can also be used to spread positive messages and embrace necessary changes.

Bored Panda has already covered the topic by presenting these propaganda posters about the COVID-19 crisis. The pictures depict very recent events, so it’s no trouble for people to understand what is the hidden meaning behind them. But what about some of the older propaganda images? Are we able to decipher those? 

A subreddit called PropagandaPosters with 415k members shares various posters and pamphlets that show how propaganda was spread during various periods of time. These images depict and help to understand some historical events better with their symbolic drawings, call-to-action messages, and well-portrayed stereotypes. Which one of these do you find the most influential? Leave your thoughts in the comments down below!

More Info: Reddit

#3

We Don’t Always March Straight, Swedish Armed Forces Gay Pride Poster, 2018

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#6

Poster Distributed By Youthbuilders, The Student Group From New York City's Ps 43, To Protest Segregated Blood Banks, Produced In 1945.

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tomandjerry56
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2 years ago

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Andy Acceber
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And yet in the U.S., the powers that be still discriminate against blood from men who have sex with men. It's ridiculous. All blood is tested. It's an unscientific stigma that dates back 40 years.

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Jon S.
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was under the impression that the tests were not 100% effective, especially with recent infections.

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ThoughtsAreNotFacts
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well the fact that this had to be declared points to the ignorance and fear tied to segregation. Sigh...

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Son of Philosoraptor
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was very little my older sister had an African American friend... This is like 1969, liberal Jewish parents. I remember crying because I thought her skin was so much better looking than the one I was stuck with and it didn't seem fair that she was a beautiful brown and I was a sort of a yellow tan. Now that I'm a grandpa I'm proud to have raised my kids knowing "race" is an economic invention, not reality. People are people.

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EP
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It makes me Sad that THAT had to be “discovered”. And it makes me uncomfortable to read it. I cannot imagine living in that time when speaking like that was acceptable. What a shame.

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Analyn Lahr
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Blood is blood. Though vampires can probably taste the difference in diets. But they sure don't care about the color of the container.

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Neil Bidle
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The guy has fallen over and face-palmed, why does he need blood?

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Alonso Victoria
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, but please, never ever forget of blood types and histocompatibily complex.

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François Carré
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sad to think such a basic fact still had to be argued with scientific proof to the people in the middle of the 20th century, while research in biology was actually so much more advanced than that by then.

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MizAdeleM
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Never, ever knew that they went so far as to segregate blood. But, you know, not surprised.

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Andy Acceber
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Extra surprising because Dr. Richard Drew was Black, invented blood banks during WWII, protested against the segregation of blood, but blood was still segregated. He's a fascinating man. More info if you're not familiar with him: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_R._Drew

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Isabel Frost
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The image didn't show up, but I'm really hoping this is about not segregating blood by ethnicity, and not blood type.

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#11

"The First Lesson" - Ussr, 1964.

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Mars Lander
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This artist hits it. Every. Time. No wonder they were our biggest enemy, we didn't want them blasting our truths like that.

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#15

"Evolution?" // Anti- Nuclear War Poster (1970s Ussr)

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NsG
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Isn't that an Einstein quote?: "I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones"

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#18

“Rationing Means A Fair Share For All Of Us” - USA, 1940s

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Chrissy Neibarger
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can't imagine the riots that would occur if this happened today. Too many selfish people now-a-days.

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#25

1900s, Anti-Feminist Poster.

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Katie Lutesinger
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And this one REALLY hasn't changed all that much. To this very day "Well you're just ugly and no man wants you!" is a line you hear all too often when a woman stands up for her rights. Or is outspoken in general, really. Because, y'know, being attractive to men is the be-all and end-all of a woman's existence. Sigh.

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#30

Hoarders, Panic Buyers, Shame On You! (Nazi Germany, 1942)

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Katie Lutesinger
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Except for the part about the toilet paper, apparently. :p

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Note: this post originally had 40 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.

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